Maserati Grecale locked in for Oz

MASERATI Australia plans to introduce a “true entry model” to its range – the newly unveiled Grecale premium medium SUV, which will launch early next year in mild-hybrid, turbo-V6 and battery electric guises to compete with the Porsche Macan, as well as up-spec variants of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Although the Modenese marque had high hopes that its Ghibli would attract many new buyers to the brand, the large sedan has been overshadowed by the Levante large SUV that quickly became Maserati’s top-selling model Down Under following its 2016 launch.

It naturally follows that Maserati would introduce a smaller SUV to draw in new customers to form part of what is  described as “the Trident brand’s fullest (range) ever”.

Developed at the brand’s Innovation Lab in Modena, the Grecale will be offered with a wide range of engines; mild-hybrid, conventional internal combustion and, in a year’s time, the Grecale will become Maserati’s first full-electric SUV.

The launch line-up comprises three variants. The GT is powered by a twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (with a belt-integrated starter-generator, a 48-volt battery, an e-Booster and a DC/DC converter) with an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives all four wheels.

Its mild-hybrid drivetrain produces peak outputs of 221kW/450Nm and is claimed to propel the entry-level Grecale to 100km/h from a standstill in 5.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 240km/h.

The middle-of-the-range Modena also has a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild- hybrid engine and produces 450Nm, but develops an extra 25kW and has a mechanical limited-slip diff, which combine to help the variant shave off 0.3 seconds from the 0-100km/h time.

Serving as range-topper until the electric version emerges, the Trofeo will be powered by a detuned version of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre “Nettuno” V6 engine fitted to the MC20 sportscar, which was launched in Australia late last year.

With peak outputs of 390kW and 620Nm, Maserati’s foil to M-, AMG- and RS-badged flagship medium SUVs from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, is said to be capable of dispatching 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and go on to a heady top speed of 285km/h.

The Trofeo runs on active shock absorbers and air suspension, the latter of which avails 65mm of adjustability, and stopping power is provided by 360mm perforated and ventilated discs with six-pot callipers at the front and 350mm rotors with four-pot callipers at the back.

Maserati has not revealed much about the upcoming battery-electric Folgore apart from saying it will use 105kW/h battery and 400-volt technology when it arrives around a year after the launch line-up, which will include a special PrimaSerie Launch Edition.

Powered by a pair of electric motors (one front, one rear), the flagship will “be capable of delivering as much as 800Nm of torque” and will be recognisable by its exclusive Rame Folgore colour.

All variants are equipped with Maserati's Vehicle Dynamic Control Module (drive-mode selector) that enables drivers to toggle between Comfort, GT, Sport, Corsa (Trofeo only) and Off-road programs.

The Grecale is 4846mm long (with a 2901mm wheelbase), 1670mm high and 2163mm wide (including side mirrors), with a rear-wheel track of 1948mm and, predictably, the company claims that its new model offers best-in-class “interior space, driveability, handling, acceleration, sound quality and use of fine materials such as wood, carbon-fibre and leather”.

Speaking of the cabin, the standout features include a digital version of the traditional Maserati clock face, extended voice-control functions, a plethora of touch-based switchgear, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (said to be the largest ever fitted in a series-built Maserati), another 8.8-inch display and a third for the passengers in the rear seats.

The in-car experience is managed from the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) multimedia system (replete with Maserati Connect) and a high-end Sonus faber 3D audio system that includes 14 speakers (at Premium grade) or 21 speakers (at High Premium grade).